Happy Friday!! Who else is extremely glad it's the weekend!?
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Friday, 21 March 2014
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Another reason to drink more coffee (Like I needed one!!)
If you're a coffee lover like me, you probably don't need more excuses to drink coffee, but now and again I like to reflect on all the positive reasons I should continue my three cup a day habit....especially when I'm about to pay $3.50 for another cappuccino on a tough day!!
In a study by Borota, Murray, Keceli, Chang, Watabe, Ly, Toscano and Yassa (2014), the effects of Caffeine on long term memory were examined.
Participants were given a series of pictures to view and learn. After the task, they were then either given a caffeine tablet (containing 200mg of caffeine) or a placebo tablet.
The next day, the participants were administered the task again, with some images being the same and some different.
The "Caffeinated" participants were better able identify the similar images than the non-caffeinated group.
The researchers concluded that the group given the caffeine following the tasks were aided in the "consolidation" of long term memories rather than short term recall.
What are the implications of this? Learning something new? More reason to have a cup of coffee after each chapter read/study session/discussion/task practised etc, to help you to better consolidate those memories for long term learning!!
In a study by Borota, Murray, Keceli, Chang, Watabe, Ly, Toscano and Yassa (2014), the effects of Caffeine on long term memory were examined.
Participants were given a series of pictures to view and learn. After the task, they were then either given a caffeine tablet (containing 200mg of caffeine) or a placebo tablet.
The next day, the participants were administered the task again, with some images being the same and some different.
The "Caffeinated" participants were better able identify the similar images than the non-caffeinated group.
The researchers concluded that the group given the caffeine following the tasks were aided in the "consolidation" of long term memories rather than short term recall.
What are the implications of this? Learning something new? More reason to have a cup of coffee after each chapter read/study session/discussion/task practised etc, to help you to better consolidate those memories for long term learning!!
Monday, 17 March 2014
Be compassionate, you'll be happier and healthier!!
Being compassionate is beneficial to others, but did you know the act of compassion also benefits your psychological and physical health?
Fredrikson et al (2008) conducted a study where participants were randomly assigned to practise loving kindness meditations - firstly directed towards themselves, then directed towards a loved one. The results of the experiment showed that participants who participated in compassionate meditation showed increased levels of daily happiness when compared to a control group.
The researchers state "these shifts in positive emotions took time to appear and were not large in magnitude, but over the course of 9 weeks, they were linked to increases in a variety of personal resources, including mindful attention, self-acceptance, positive relations with others, and good physical health. Moreover, these gains in personal resources were consequential: They enabled people to become more satisfied with their lives and to experience fewer symptoms of depression.
In addition to this, the group who participated in compassionate meditation experienced less depression, were in better physical shape, and had a better satisfaction with life than the control group.
The researchers state that "positive emotions produce success and health as much as they reflect these good outcomes."
Want to be happier and healthier? Find more ways to increase your positive emotions!!
Would you like to learn more about loving kindness meditation? Click here!
Fredrikson et al (2008) conducted a study where participants were randomly assigned to practise loving kindness meditations - firstly directed towards themselves, then directed towards a loved one. The results of the experiment showed that participants who participated in compassionate meditation showed increased levels of daily happiness when compared to a control group.
The researchers state "these shifts in positive emotions took time to appear and were not large in magnitude, but over the course of 9 weeks, they were linked to increases in a variety of personal resources, including mindful attention, self-acceptance, positive relations with others, and good physical health. Moreover, these gains in personal resources were consequential: They enabled people to become more satisfied with their lives and to experience fewer symptoms of depression.
In addition to this, the group who participated in compassionate meditation experienced less depression, were in better physical shape, and had a better satisfaction with life than the control group.
The researchers state that "positive emotions produce success and health as much as they reflect these good outcomes."
Want to be happier and healthier? Find more ways to increase your positive emotions!!
Would you like to learn more about loving kindness meditation? Click here!
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
Help dramatically improve your children's behaviour through playing music or singing!!
A new study by Davies et al (2013) has shown that both singing or playing a musical instrument can dramatically improve children's behaviour.
The study compared two groups of four year old children. The children were randomly allocated to one of two groups - a music group, where the children played percussion instruments and sang, and a story group - where children listened to a story.
Following the activities, the children were measured on helpfulness and cooperation.
The children who played music, were 30 times more likely to be helpful, and 6 times more likely to cooperate, than the children who participated in the story activity.
The results of this study support the prosocial benefits of music - playing an instrument or singing can be an easy and fun way to help young children behave better!! More reason than ever to find fun ways to encourage kids to make music!!
The study compared two groups of four year old children. The children were randomly allocated to one of two groups - a music group, where the children played percussion instruments and sang, and a story group - where children listened to a story.
Following the activities, the children were measured on helpfulness and cooperation.
The children who played music, were 30 times more likely to be helpful, and 6 times more likely to cooperate, than the children who participated in the story activity.
The results of this study support the prosocial benefits of music - playing an instrument or singing can be an easy and fun way to help young children behave better!! More reason than ever to find fun ways to encourage kids to make music!!
Monday, 10 March 2014
Beat the green-eyed monster
Do you find yourself constantly comparing yourself to others? It's human nature to look at ourselves in relation to others, but often this can drive us crazy with endless wants and desires to be better than our neighbours. For some of us, this can result in bad habits such as excessive spending and a focus on all things superficial.
Often we have underlying reasons for jealousy - what triggers your feelings of jealousy? What are the thoughts running through your mind when you feel this emotion? Are you feeling unsatisfied with an aspect of your life?
Here are some constructive strategies you can utilise to suppress your inner green-eyed monster.
1) Consider what you're thankful for. Next time you feel the urge to splurge on a new pair of heels, think about what it is that you do have. Reflect on your achievements, successes, positive relationships....think about what matters in life, and be thankful for it!!
2) Focus on achieving goals and personal growth.... think about who you really want to be in this lifetime - focus on nurturing your talents, developing your skills and hitting goal posts... when you're engaged in an activity that helps you develop personally, you'll probably find you're less caught up in emotions like jealousy and more focused on bettering yourself.
3) Identify your values - do you value financial security? Or do you value looking fantastic to show up your best friend? Consider your values and set goals in line with them.... looking at your savings grow will be far more fulfilling in the long run, compared to buying a new top which you will probably wear once or twice, then still feel like you need another new top.
4) Do something positive or give back to others - prosocial acts are good for mental health!! Participate in a fundraising activity, donate your unworn clothes to others or help a stressed out friend tidy up her apartment. You will feel better for it.
Often we have underlying reasons for jealousy - what triggers your feelings of jealousy? What are the thoughts running through your mind when you feel this emotion? Are you feeling unsatisfied with an aspect of your life?
"If only I had more Chihuahuas...."
Here are some constructive strategies you can utilise to suppress your inner green-eyed monster.
1) Consider what you're thankful for. Next time you feel the urge to splurge on a new pair of heels, think about what it is that you do have. Reflect on your achievements, successes, positive relationships....think about what matters in life, and be thankful for it!!
2) Focus on achieving goals and personal growth.... think about who you really want to be in this lifetime - focus on nurturing your talents, developing your skills and hitting goal posts... when you're engaged in an activity that helps you develop personally, you'll probably find you're less caught up in emotions like jealousy and more focused on bettering yourself.
3) Identify your values - do you value financial security? Or do you value looking fantastic to show up your best friend? Consider your values and set goals in line with them.... looking at your savings grow will be far more fulfilling in the long run, compared to buying a new top which you will probably wear once or twice, then still feel like you need another new top.
4) Do something positive or give back to others - prosocial acts are good for mental health!! Participate in a fundraising activity, donate your unworn clothes to others or help a stressed out friend tidy up her apartment. You will feel better for it.
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
What you wear can change your psychological processes
The confidence we feel when we put on a new outfit is evidence enough that what we wear can be easily linked to what we feel. High heels can make a woman feel more powerful, a blazer can make us feel more influential and a red dress - more seductive!
Just how is it that our clothing can act on the way we feel? A study by Adam and Galinsky (2012) examined the effect of clothing on our psychological processes.
The study found that wearing certain pieces of clothing could change our cognitive processes and enhance performance on tasks.
The experiment began with examining the effects of wearing a lab coat. The researchers state:
"A pretest found that a lab coat is generally associated with attentiveness and carefulness. We therefore predicted that wearing a lab coat would increase performance on attention-related tasks. In Experiment 1, physically wearing a lab coat increased selective attention compared to not wearing a lab coat."
The second phase of the experiment examined people who beleived they were wearing a white coat described as a doctor's coat, vs people wearing a white coat described as a painter's coat. Low and behold, the group wearing the coat described as a doctor's coat showed increased sustained attention on a task, compared to the "painter's coat" group.
The authors conclude that the effects of the study were associated with both the symbolic meaning of the clothing, as well as the physical experience of wearing the clothes.
With this in mind, choose your outfit carefully! It just may affect how your think, how you perform and even what you do!!!
Here's some inspiration!
I just found an article called "The Psychology of Lululemon" which discusses the idea that we may be more likely to engage in exercise if we look the part, and may be perceived as more confident at it by others! Does anyone agree? I for one, do feel more motivated to go to the gym when I have some stylish workout gear....whilst this sounds superficial, it gets me in the door, and is more likely to keep me coming back!
What are your thoughts?
Just how is it that our clothing can act on the way we feel? A study by Adam and Galinsky (2012) examined the effect of clothing on our psychological processes.
The study found that wearing certain pieces of clothing could change our cognitive processes and enhance performance on tasks.
The experiment began with examining the effects of wearing a lab coat. The researchers state:
"A pretest found that a lab coat is generally associated with attentiveness and carefulness. We therefore predicted that wearing a lab coat would increase performance on attention-related tasks. In Experiment 1, physically wearing a lab coat increased selective attention compared to not wearing a lab coat."
The second phase of the experiment examined people who beleived they were wearing a white coat described as a doctor's coat, vs people wearing a white coat described as a painter's coat. Low and behold, the group wearing the coat described as a doctor's coat showed increased sustained attention on a task, compared to the "painter's coat" group.
The authors conclude that the effects of the study were associated with both the symbolic meaning of the clothing, as well as the physical experience of wearing the clothes.
With this in mind, choose your outfit carefully! It just may affect how your think, how you perform and even what you do!!!
Here's some inspiration!
Miranda Kerr, wearing Equipment Blouse
Julianne Hough, wearing Rag and Bone Newbury Booties
Not sure about the jacket, but my pick is this Anine Bing Leather Jacket
Rachel Bilson rocking a fedora - my pick, Rag and Bone
What are your thoughts?
Monday, 3 March 2014
Start the day on a positive note
Sick of waking up to another day of drudgery? Work, cook, clean, gym, sleep, repeat...again!
A friend of mine suggested this simple strategy to put a positive start on the day - when you're getting ready in the morning, look in mirror and reflect on three things you're grateful for.
What are you grateful for? Have you tried this simple trick?
Today I'm grateful for... my wonderful husband, Summer weather and the second cappuccino I'm about to drink....
Photo by Raelene Baget - RnR Productions
A friend of mine suggested this simple strategy to put a positive start on the day - when you're getting ready in the morning, look in mirror and reflect on three things you're grateful for.
What are you grateful for? Have you tried this simple trick?
Today I'm grateful for... my wonderful husband, Summer weather and the second cappuccino I'm about to drink....
Photo by Raelene Baget - RnR Productions
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